Golf training devices



March 17 1964 R. D. CAMPBELL ETAL 3,124,806

. f GOLF TRAINING DEVICES Filed Deo. 14, 1962 ATTOR YS United States Patent O 3,124,806 GOLF TRAINING DEVICES Roderick D. Campbell, 1737 Vine St., Philadelphia 39,

Pa., and Stanley K. Herbets, 1850 N. 76th St., Philadelphia 51, Pa.

Filed Dec. 14, 1962., Ser. No. 244,762 1 Claim. (Cl. 2-160) This invention relates to golf training devices. More particularly, it relates to training devices for improving a golfers overall performance which may be incorporated in golf gloves or used by themselves.

It has long been recognized that arm and wiist movements, including speed of the hands at the time of impact between club and ball, are key factors in a golfers performance. Many elaborate prior art devices exist which have as their object the correction of arm and wrist motion to eliminate tendencies which individual golfers may have to hook or slice the ball.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a simple and portable training device, including modifications which can also serve as ordinary golf gloves, for improving the wearers performance on the golf course, lengthen drives, eliminate hooks and eliminate slices A further object of this invention is to provide a golf glove wherein that portion covering the dorsum is weighted.

An additional object of the invention is to weight the dorsum of a golfer and thus improve his performance.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved golf training device of the character described which is easily and economically produced, light in weight, sturdy and long-lasting in construction and highly efficient in achieving its desired end of improving a golfers game.

These and other related objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration f the description and iigures which follow. The various features and details of construction of the invention are more fully set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 represents a perspective plan view of a golf glove embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 represents a transverse section taken along line 2 2 of FIG. l.

FIGURE 3 represents a fragmentary longitudinal section taken along line 3 3 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 represents a perspective plan view, partially cut-away, of another golf glove embodying the invention.

FIGURE 5 represents a partial longitudinal section taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 represents a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention further showing its relationship to the hand.

Considering now the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, FIGURES 1 to 3 inclusive illustrate a golf glove embodying the invention. The glove includes a hand-covering portion, generally designated A, and a weighted portion thereon, generally designated B. The hand cover A may include a plurality of phalanx covers 161, a portion 11 covering the palmar, a portion 12 covering the dorsum and a portion 13 encompassing the carpus.

As is customary in the golf glove art, one or more of these areas may be foraminous and, further, the glove may be abbreviated, as by removal of all or part of all or some of covers 10.

Mounted on portion 12 is a weighted portion B. Generally, portion B provides weight which is substantially evenly distributed over portion 12. While suitable weights cover a wide range, it is preferred to weight each glove with from about 9 oz. of total weight. One way ice of providing the weight is shown in the instant embodiment. Here, a pocket 14, stitched as at 15, provided with a ap 16 and a closing devices, such as snap 17, is formed on portion 12. Into this pocket is inserted a slug or Weight 18. Slug 18, as best shown in FIGURE 2, is preferably, though not necessarily, arcuate in cross-section and complements the contour of the dorsum. This particular embodiment may be used as a training device by insertion of weight 18 into pocket 14 and closure of snap 17. Upon removal of the weight 18, the selfsame glove may be used as a normal golf glove.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. In this embodiment, dorsum covering portion 12 is provided with a plurality of tubular, longitudinally extending compartments 19. Each of these compartments, in turn, is provided with weights preferably, as shown, in the form of discrete particles such as spheres 20. In the instant embodiment, compartments 19 are permanently sealed but, obviously, they may be provided with a iiap similar to flap 16 so that the spheres 20 may be removed, replaced, or varied in number to suit the particular needs of the user. Furthermore, it is equally obvivous that shapes other than spherical can be used in compartments 19 and that the weights can be in the form of dorsum complementing slugs and need not be in the form of discrete particles.

An additional embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGURE 6. This embodiment provides the necessary Weight in the form of a slug 21 which is preferably contoured to complement the dorsum and is, accordingly, preferably arcuate in cross-section. Slug 21 may conveniently be provided with a plurality of ears 22, in this instance having a bail-like coniiguration. The slugT is positioned on the hand (shown in phantom) by any convenient retaining means, in this instance, straps Z3. The straps may be provided with buckles 24. Using the retaining means, the weight is positioned on the dorsum 25. The straps cross the palmar and buckles 24 are oriented so as not to interfere with the grip. Other means may be used for providing the weight as indicated in connection with the other embodiments of the invention.

When a player practices with these weighted training devices on either or both hands it has been found, as an unexpected and novel result, that over a period of time the extra weight strengthens muscles in the wrist and forearm in such a manner as to lengthen the drives and eliminate both hooks and slices Further, after an extended training period with devices of the invention, these improvements will persist even though weights are not used thereafter. Whether the devices of the invention are used during play with a contestant is a matter of individual choice and a function of the interpretation of contest rules.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied and its extent, consequently, is to be determined by the appended claim.

Having described our invention, we claim:

A golf training glove comprising a hand encapsulating member including a dorsum portion; a palmar portion; phalanx receivers and a cuff portion; pocket means in the dorsum portion so configured as to substantially cover the dorsum zone of the users hand, said zone being that area bounded longitudinally by the wrist and a line adjacent the users four knuckles and laterally contained between the ulna and the radius of the users forearm; and weight means received Within the dorsum pocket for complementary, substantially uniform, contoured distribution of load over the aforesaid dorsum zone, said load being restricted within the margins bounded by said dorsum zone and defining a center of gravity centrally disposed therewithin without in any way intrusiveiy extending into areas of the Phalanx receivers, whereby the back of the gloved hand which is carrying a golf club will be centrifugally urged into a plane perpendicular to the path of the hand arc during the downswing of the forearm and lead the arc of the club so as to provide maximum transmittal of power to each golf shot with optimum accuracy.

References Cited in the Ie of this patent UNITED STAT-ES PATENTS Calloway Apr. l1, 1939 Sherrick Jan. 23, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Austria Apr. 6, 1923 

